New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-05
su1ycJyc POrND THE CIRCLE.

President Cleveland is trying to learn some
thing Of tho great country which looks 10 MN
as its Chief Magistrate. lie begins that branch
Of his education rather latc. Other Americans
Of active minds and sufficient ability to secure
2 comfortable income learn something OF their
country by travel before they reach his age
A small part Of the money wasted IN personal
qualification during twenty years of manhood
would have given Dir. Cleveland knowledge
not merely of what he can now see from the
windows Of parlor car. but OF the beauties
and resources Of the country. It's people IN
various sections how they live and labor. what
they are thinking about and what they need
Unlike other Americans Of ability aud good
income, Mr. Cleveland never cared 10 know
more of the country. IL does not appear
that he ever jOurncycd west OF Cleveland or
south Of Washington before he became Prcsi-
dent. The vast West and the growing South
remained practically unknown to him, and no
now begins late in life 10 realize with some
amazcmcnt the magnitude and grandeur OF the
Nation. Until he came 10 have political asplra-
tons to be promoted by travelling, he never
spent a single day in the ride from his home
at Buffalo TO indianapolis, Chicago or St. LOUIS.
Other Americans. moro than a million IN num-
Der though not blessed with large incomes
were educated by travelling through the South
with Sherman and Grant in the service Of their
country. but Mr.. Cleveland had not that am
bition. Now that he is President and n cand-
date for reelection. he wants for the first time
TO see the country.
One other President, who was also Demo
crat at that time though elected As Rcpubl-
can made n similar tour Of observation while
charged with executive responsibility. Andrew
Johnson's swinging round the circle made him
better known to many Of his countrymen. lie
went on an clcctioncering tour, wantingto let
the people sec and hear him, and convinced
that if they knew more o! him they would
make haste TO elect him President again. Inc
result did not meet his expectations. Inc
peoplc who saw him face 10 face went away
with feeling that a man so coarse, so passion
ate so sensual and so vain could not safely be
intrusted with power great enough to turn
the heads of cooler men.
Whether President Cleyciand's tour will pro-
mote his political aspirations is yet to be seen.
OF course, no public object requires this en-
ployment Of some weeks Of his official time
Neither is such journey rest or recreation Tor
any man. His personal manifestation OF HIM
self in sundry towns and States, his brief and
rather commonplace remarks Of local compll-
ment his intercourse with Democrats who feel
that it il a distinction TO escort and entertain
the President Of this great country, are cx-
pcctcd TO increase his popularity. Probably
this tour, as an ccctioncerng trip, will prove
a mistake, for the President needs no in
creased strength with his own partisans to
secure nomination, while his trip is not
made under such circumstances as to command
The enthusiasm Of others 1t is not more likely
than was Andrew Johnson's to win him the
affection of political opponents. Men who
have not seen him face to face will have that
satisfaction, but it was not where Mr.. Cievc-
land was best known that he received heavy
majorities.